Purpose: Breast cancer survivors may experience a variety of disabilities that could potentially compromise their independent functioning. This study aimed to examine their perspectives and experts on their functioning and interpret concepts with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Item-Perspective Classification Framework (IPF).
Methods: Interpretive descriptive methods were used with in-depth interviewing with 16 breast cancer survivors and 22 experts using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. The extracted data were linked to the ICF Core Set for Breast cancer and were interpreted by the IPF.
Results: Four main themes emerged to define the functioning of breast cancer survivors: body functioning, physical functioning, social functioning, and mental functioning. Three other factors were also categorized as modifiers of functioning personal, emotional, and environmental. The 592 extracted meaningful concepts were linked to 38 (47%) categories from the ICF: 16 Body Functions, 14 Activities and Participation, and 8 Environmental Factors. The IPF classified all the extracted concepts, and most rational appraisals fell in the biological (B) domain. The concepts that required emotional appraisal were classified in Psychology (P).
Conclusion: Psychological and emotional factors were pivotal in defining functioning in patients with BC.
Keywords: Breast cancer survivors; ICF; Item-Perspective Classification Framework; core set; function.
Rehabilitation specialists need to consider a holistic approach to breast cancer survivor care that addresses physical functioning and social, emotional, and environmental factors that may affect their overall well-being.The findings suggest that rehabilitation interventions that aim to improve the functioning of breast cancer survivors should target a range of areas, including body functioning, physical functioning, social functioning, and mental functioning.It is important for rehabilitation professionals to consider personal, emotional, and environmental factors that influence the functioning of breast cancer survivors when designing interventions.Using the ICF Core Set for Breast Cancer and the IPF can help rehabilitation specialists better understand the functioning of breast cancer survivors and develop more effective interventions.